Crispy Air Fryer Tilapia (Print Version)

Golden crunchy tilapia with seasoned breadcrumbs ready in 22 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 tilapia fillets (5–6 oz each), patted dry

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
07 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Coating

08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 tbsp milk

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
11 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
02 - Whisk together eggs and milk in a shallow bowl.
03 - Combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl.
04 - Dip each fillet in egg mixture, let excess drip off, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture.
05 - Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Place breaded fillets in single layer, cooking in batches if needed.
06 - Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and fish flakes easily.
07 - Serve immediately with parsley and lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crunch rivals any restaurant fryer but you feel energized instead of heavy afterward
  • From pantry to plate in barely 20 minutes even on busy weeknights
  • The seasoned coating transforms mild tilapia into something everyone actually gets excited about
02 -
  • Overcrowding the basket makes the coating soggy so cook in batches if your air fryer is smaller
  • Patting the fish completely dry before coating is the secret that prevents the breading from sliding off during cooking
  • A light spray of oil on the breaded fillets before air frying creates an even crunchier exterior
03 -
  • Work quickly when dipping to prevent the crumbs from becoming clumpy from the egg mixture
  • The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F but the flake test with a fork is just as reliable

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